Jess Davenport nears playing time

Monday

Jun 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMJun 30, 2008 at 5:06 PM

Jessica Davenport didn’t miss a beat or a game in the four seasons she played for the Ohio State women’s basketball team.

So being sidelined for the past three months with a stress fracture in her left tibia and missing the first 14 games of the New York Liberty’s WNBA season counted as new experiences for the three-time All-American and three-time Big Ten player of the year.

“This is my first major injury,” Davenport said this afternoon from Los Angeles. "I twisted an ankle a couple of times in college. Other than that I’ve been healthy.”

As you can imagine, the inactivity hasn’t been fun. She is looking forward to being activated for the Thursday night game in Seattle.

“It’s been hard just watching training camp and watching the other girls play,” Davenport said. “I’ve been practicing for maybe three weeks now. I feel like I’m ready. I can’t remember ever going this long without playing.”

Davenport, the second pick in the WNBA draft in 2007, will be on the bench for a last game tonight when New York plays the Los Angeles Sparks. She'll back up old Minnesota rival Janel McCarville in the post as she did for much of last season.

“I just have to get my timing back,” Davenport said. “We can use another big in the post. Hopefully I can come in and fill a role. Whatever coach (Pat Coyle) wants.”

Davenport suffered the stress fracture while playing for Challes-les-Eaux in France. The October-to-February stint overseas followed a full senior season with the Buckeyes and a rookie campaign with the Liberty. She thinks that contributed to the injury.

“I think it was just overuse – just wear and tear on my body,” Davenport said. “I don’t think I’ll be going back to that team again. But I will (play) overseas again.”

She was supposed to return from France in April, but came back hurting in late February.

Liberty teammate Tiffany Jackson also played for Challes-Les-Eaux and also suffered a stress fracture in her left tibia. She came home a couple of weeks before Davenport and was healthy enough to start the season.

"I spent a month or so on crutches," Davenport said. "I have a bone stimulator I use about 20 minutes a day. Rest and cardio was about all I could do. I started doing basketball things three weeks ago. I don't think I'll be going back to that team again. But I will (play) overseas again. It was a good opportunity and I think it will help me this year."